Historic NSW native title deal inked

A historic native title land use agreement covering vast tracts
of north-east NSW will be signed on Wednesday, adding weight to a
Federal Court native title claim over the same area.

The NSW government deal also puts pressure on Queensland to
reach a similar arrangement with the Githabul people.

Parts of the Githabul nation straddles the NSW and Queensland
border near Mt Lindesay and covers more than 6,000 square
kilometres.

The NSW agreement, 10 years in the making, recognises the
Githabul people's ongoing physical and spiritual connection to the
land.

The largest indigenous land use agreement in Australia's eastern
states will be signed on Wednesday at a ceremony in Woodenbong, in
northern NSW.

It will give the Githabul people joint managerial control of
World Heritage listed national parks and control over future
development on some areas of crown and leasehold land.

NSW Lands Minister Tony Kelly said the agreement covered 112,000
hectares within the Kyogle and Tenterfield shires, including 10
national parks and 13 state forests.

"Significantly, for the first time, the state and the Githabul
people will now seek a Federal Court consent determination that
native title exists, and will continue to exist, over the affected
areas," Mr Kelly said in a statement.

"This agreement will not only ensure the protection of
culturally significant sites to the Githabul people but will also
result in the transfer of 102 hectares of land to the Githabul
Corporation, on behalf of the Githabul people."

NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus said the agreement
established a co-management arrangement for 10 parks in the claim
area.

NSW Aboriginal Affairs Minister Reba Meagher welcomed the
agreement, saying it was a great day for all the people of NSW.

Warren Mundine, the chief executive of NSW Native Title
Services, said the agreement delivered real jobs and real benefits
to the Githabul people.

Mr Mundine hoped an agreement could be also reached with the
Queensland government on sections of the Githabul nation on the
other side of the state border.